Awesome, baby! Dick Vitale to read at Bull’s Head Jan. 28

Maestro men, space eaters, diaper dandies and everyone else is invited to a reading and book signing by basketball commentator Dick Vitale, set for at 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at UNC’s Bull’s Head Bookshop.

The Dickie V Dictionary, part of the announcer’s new book, translates the terms above as those who make big plays, like orchestra leaders; big guys; and sensational freshmen. "Living a Dream: Reflections on 25 Years sitting in the Best Seat in the House" (Sports Publishing, $24.95), was co-written by Dick Weiss, a sportswriter for 11 years with the New York Daily News, previously with the Philadelphia Daily News.

Vitale, who is marking 25 years with ESPN, will be in town to broadcast the Carolina-N.C. State game that night from the Smith Center.

Among topics addressed in the book are his friendships with numerous basketball Hall of Famers, coaching strategies, controversy surrounding the breakup of the Big East, standing on his head on national TV and being passed through the stands by the Cameron Crazies at Duke University. The book’s forward is written by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

After 12 narrative chapters on broad topics including Michael Jordan and other PTPers – prime-time players – Vitale concludes with the dictionary of colorful terms he has coined over the years. A glass eater, for example, is "a rebounding machine"; a Dow Joneser, an "up and down, inconsistent player." A Maalox Masher is a "close, intense game that usually comes down to the last shot."

An All-Alcatraz team consists of players expected to have breakout seasons; an All-SportsCenter team, of coaches who need public relations. Vitale also assigned players to special categories, such as Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning as "All-Human Erasers, shot blockers deluxe. Guys who say, ‘Thou shall not enter the lane.’ " Tim Duncan and Juan Dixon are on his All-Bob Vila Team, of players who built themselves into stars.

A caution to Tar Heels: Vitale’s All-Dipsy Doo Dunkaroos team – "the high risers, the elevator men, the guys who play up, up and away" – does not include Vince Carter.

For more information about Vitale’s visit to the Bull’s Head, call 962-5060.

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The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has appointed Dr. Jay M. Smith, associate professor of history, to serve as associate dean for undergraduate curricula. His five-year term begins July 1. He replaces Thomas Tweed, distinguished professor of religious studies, who has served in the position since 1999.

Smith will be responsible for monitoring all undergraduate curricular changes in the General College and the College of Arts and Sciences, including ongoing plans for implementation of the new general education curriculum. The new curriculum is expected to go into effect for all incoming students in the fall of 2006.

The Office of Undergraduate Curricula also receives and reviews all requests for new courses, course revisions, and proposals for new minors or majors.

"Jay is an excellent scholar and teacher who also has impressive experience in undergraduate advising and program administration," said Karen Gil, senior associate dean for undergraduate education. "We are delighted that he will carry forward the leadership of the undergraduate curricula."

Smith directed undergraduate studies for the department of history from 1998 to 2000. He was an undergraduate advisor for the College from 1993 to 1996, and has been associate chair of the history department since 1998. He also served on the chair’s advisory committee for the history department from 1994 to 1996.

His research focuses on early-modern France and deals with the relationship between language and the evolution of social and political values. He is the author of "The Culture of Merit: Nobility, Royal Service and the Making of Absolute Monarchy in France, 1600-1789" (1996). His current book project focuses on debates in pre-Revolutionary France over the role of nobility in a patriotic civic culture.

Smith joined the university faculty in 1990 and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on the French Revolution, the age of Enlightenment, late-medieval and early-modern France, and the history of aristocratic identity.

He received a Ph.D. in history from the University of Michigan in 1990.

Photo url: http://www.unc.edu/news/pics/faculty/smith_jay.jpg

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Medieval Festival to be held at UNC-Chapel Hill

Even in an area known for producing some of music’s hottest talent, one would be hard pressed to find a good dulcimerist. However, on Sunday, Jan. 25, that could change at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Hosted by the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) and the Carolina Club, "Medieval Festival" is an interactive and live performance event that begins at noon and runs until 5 p.m. in the George Watts Hill Alumni Center on Stadium Drive.

In addition to the dulcimerists, there will be a Celtic band, storytellers, bards and bagpipers. The afternoon includes fencing and knights-in-armor tournaments.

A series of classes will cover a variety of period topics. Medieval arts and craft booths will be set up and visitors can have their picture taken in period garb by the UNC student chapter of the SCA.

There will also be a medieval-themed buffet.

The SCA is a worldwide non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public and encouraging learning about medieval history. Many local SCA members work in high-technology firms in the area.

Carolina Club members, the general public and children of all ages are welcome. The entry fee is $5 for club members or $6 or non-members (cash only). Buffet option is $10 (adults) and $7 (children 3-6). Advanced reservations are requested. Parking will be available on Stadium Drive and Ehringhaus Field Lot on Ridge Road next to the club.

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College of Arts and Sciences Contact: Dee Reid, (919) 843-6339, deereid@unc.edu
Carolina Club Contact: Ray Kenney, (919) 962-1101